Month: September 1999

ITC fines MTV Europe £40,000 for breaching free publicity rules

Marketing Week

MTV Networks Europe has been fined £40,000 by the Independent Television Commission (ITC) after it gave too much free on-air publicity to theme park Alton Towers, the donor of a competition prize. Presenters of an MTV video request programme called Select made several scripted references to Alton Towers, where only one mention is allowed. The […]

No roads lead from docks to the Dome

Marketing Week

As the ad strapline for the Millennium Dome says, last Wednesday was “one amazing day” for the Diary, which made a brave attempt to arrive at the Dome in time for a press conference announcing New Year ticket sales. According to a London Underground staffer, there were “problems on the Jubilee line” that morning, so […]

Granada picks BMP for Internet business

Marketing Week

Granada has appointed BMP OMD to the £4m integrated account for its Internet service G-Wizz, which is being launched next month at a cost of £30m. BMP Optimum Action, the agency’s direct response arm, and BMP Interaction, its online arm, will work alongside the creative and media agency to recruit members and formulate its online […]

AA needs to woo public with care

Marketing Week

It’s good to see the Advertising Association adopting a high profile at last, with a strategic campaign to promote an understanding of advertising among the general public. Too often it has played a valuable but obscure supporting role as a lobbyist on ad hoc issues. With the result that, while its commitment in promoting matters […]

Will Graham the Cow toe the line?

Marketing Week

In his letter last week (“Turn the udder cheek”, MW September 23), Seamus O’Farrell wrote that the Boddingtons’ cow “stands on two feet…” Hooves, Seamus, hooves. Still, feet or hooves, I can’t wait to see the new “house of horror” treatment. Maybe Graham the Cow is destined to be the next Wallace and Grommit? Mark […]

New campaign for The Independent and Independent on Sunday

Marketing Week

The parents of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence feature in a new advertising campaign for The Independent and Independent on Sunday newspapers. Neville and Doreen Lawrence join a host of well-known figures in a 30-second TV ad created by Euro RSCG which breaks this weekend. The ad uses couplets of famous people filmed exclusively for the […]

AOL puts Ventura titles on Net

Marketing Week

Attic Ventura teenage titles Sugar and TV Hits are to be published as online magazines through an exclusive deal with AOL UK. Under the terms of the deal, to be announced later in the week, Sugar will launch on AOL UK on October 15 and TV Hits in December. Sugar is the UK’s best-selling teen […]

Database value outweighs cost

Marketing Week

I though that Alicia Clegg’s article “Target practice” (MW September 2) was both thorough and interesting. I would strongly endorse using direct mail as part of an integrated marketing strategy, not in isolation. But I would like to take issue with the idea that “more precise targeting increases the database costs of direct mail”. Surely […]

Fashion faux pas delivers Chris Eubank mighty blow

Marketing Week

Spar enlisted the help of boxing, er, legend Chris Eubank to launch its charity drive The Sparkle Appeal, which aims to raise at least &£400,000 for children’s charities before the millennium. But the Diary thinks a charity should be set up for sometime-Vivienne-Westwood-model Eubank, perhaps entitled the Help a Hopeless Fashion Victim Fund or the […]

Poster Watch

Marketing Week

Lucozade’s Lara Croft campaign came top this month in both the recall and popularity stakes. But Budwieser was only one step behind for approval. Plus, Grey Advertising’s Tim Mellors gives BA a dressing-down

Bertelsmann reviews £50m media

Marketing Week

BMG Entertainment International, the music division of media giant Bertelsmann AG, is reviewing its £50m pan-European media account for its record labels. It is understood that BMP OMD, Carat and MindShare will compete for the centralised business, thought to revolve around the advertising for labels such as RCA and Arista. Bertelsmann represents a wide variety […]

Website gives route to cheapest prices in US

Marketing Week

A new Website has been launched to challenge “Rip-off Britain”, currently being pilloried by the Government, the media and many UK consumers. The site, at wowstars.com, allows customers to check prices of everyday items on retail Websites in the US and order the cheapest by linking direct to the seller’s homepage. In the wake of […]

Early Learning Centre launches campaign

Marketing Week

Early Learning Centre unveils its first corporate brand campaign on October 4 when six press ads break in parenting, home and women’s magazines. The campaign was created by BBH Unlimited, Bartle Bogle Hegarty’s through-the-line arm, following its win of the account in January. The campaign will also include in-store posters, direct mail and promotions. Six […]